Back for a third year to educate about the restoration and preservation of
older homes, properties and neighborhoods, the Restore Omaha Conference took
place on MCC´s South Omaha Campus Feb. 29–March 2 this year.

Sponsored by MCC, Restore Omaha offers current and potential owners of
older properties an opportunity to learn from local and regional experts about
how to restore, revive and preserve their home or business. Keynote speaker Jim
Lindberg, director of preservation initiatives at the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, gave a keynote talk on how to tame the teardown trend
in historic neighborhoods. In addition, five hands-on demonstrations and 20
breakout sessions taught attendees preservation and restoration techniques to
use on their own homes.

"Restore Omaha has become the place for people to come and get
motivated to restore and preserve this area´s older homes. Thanks to the
conference and our Metropolitan Community College partnership we have been
able to motivate attendees to buy older homes, found work for local craftsmen
and have changed people´s misperceptions of this areas older
neighborhoods. The conference is making a difference," said Kristine
Gerber, conference organizer.

A reception on Feb. 29 at Prouty Place Dos opened the Conference with a
sneak peek at the remodeling of this multi-use residential/commercial facility
in the heart of South Omaha. At the Restoration JAM! Session, attendees
shared lessons learned in renovation and preservation of their older property.
Tours on March 2 focused on and highlighted the preservation and restoration
efforts in the area bordered by Pacific Street to the north, the Missouri
River to the east, 36th Street to the west and Q Street the south.

The event also featured an exhibitor area including Ask-an-Expert areas, a
bookstore, hands-on demonstrations and exhibit booths where participants
gathered ideas, products, contacts and solutions to their old-home problems.
Restore Omaha was sponsored by Metropolitan Community College.